Sen. Rockefeller retirement will leave a seat that was Democratic blue open in a deeply Republican red state of West Virginia. #Congress
—
Suzanne Kianpour (@KianpourWorld) January 11, 2013Another Dem Beltway-clinger is on his way out.
Will formally announce my future plans at 11am today. Tune in at: rockefeller.senate.gov/public/index.c…—
Jay Rockefeller (@SenRockefeller) January 11, 2013
Five-term Sen. Jay Rockefeller will not seek a sixth term in 2014.
West Virginia is an open seat. Rockefeller to retire in 2014. WV Senate in play for Republicans for first time in 30+years #tcot #politics—
Michael Wray (@mhwray) January 11, 2013
Is the West Virginia seat in play for the GOP now that Rockefeller is retiring?
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) to retire after five terms in the Senate. First elected in 1984. Big opportunity for a GOP pickup.—
Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 11, 2013
Rockefeller's seat is one of seven up for grabs this cycle that's currently Dem-occupied, but in a state Romney carried.—
Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) January 11, 2013
Not everyone thinks this will be an easy win for the GOP.
Great to hear Rockefeller isn't running again. No, the GOP isn't going to win that seat but still, fun!—
DrewM (@DrewMTips) January 11, 2013
But many think a GOP pickup is possible.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) to retire in 2014, creating an excellent pick-up opportunity for Republicans.—
Jørgen Lien (@jorgenlien) January 11, 2013
Soooooo we picking up a West VA Senate seat in 2014 or what?—
Drew (@FigDrewton) January 11, 2013
Rockefeller's Senate seat should be an easy pickup for the GOP in 2014.—
Aaron (@a_ryan88) January 11, 2013
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito has already announced her intention to run for the seat.
Jay Rockefeller to retire.
This basically assures Shelley Moore-Capito a victory in the upcoming election. Big win for the GOP—
Justin Lester (@JELester9) January 11, 2013
@DrewMTips They might actually. Shelley Moore Capito is a much stronger candidate than any other Republican we've put up—
Ben (@BenK84) January 11, 2013
Senator Rockefeller retiring. Will Tea Party primary Republican Shelley Moore Capito in 2014? (She's socially moderate, pro-choice)—
Jonathan Jones (@JJ_159) January 11, 2013
But it looks like she’s in for a primary battle:
Senate Conservatives Fund already calling for more conservative primary candidate than Capito.—
Aaron Blake (@FixAaron) January 11, 2013
Senate Conservatives Fund seeks non-Capito option for 2014 West Virginia Senate race: bit.ly/WX9KX9—
(@jimgeraghty) January 11, 2013
The Senate Conservatives Fund is vowing to find a more conservative option for the race.
We’re not going to stop looking for a conservative challenger in this race until the primary is over. The voters in West Virginia get to decide who represents them and they should have a conservative choice.
One parting message for the GOP:
Rockefeller is retiring. DON'T MESS THIS UP!!!!!!—
Seth (@dcseth) January 11, 2013
Update:
Democrat Nick Rahall may throw his hat in the ring.
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) says he's interested in running for the Senate seat vacated by longtime Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV).—
Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 11, 2013
